The rumour wheel is almost spinning off its axis in Spain this week as news of Nico Williams’ move from Athletic Bilbao to La Liga champions Barcelona seems to be on the cusp of an announcement.
According to the European sporting press the Blaugrana have reached an agreement with the 22-year-old La Roja star and now they are bashing out an agreement with the Basque club to bring Williams to Barcelona on a proposed six-year deal worth up to 12m Euros a year. He has been linked with a move to Premier League runners-up Arsenal but the momentum seems to have shifted in Barcelona and, if the Catalans reach the 60m Euros release clause then a deal may be in the offing very soon.
The La Liga 2025 betting odds predict another big El Clasico battle in 2025/26 and Flick will be keen to strengthen his side. It’s hard to argue that Barcelona are in desperate need for a world-class winger, with Brazilian ace Raphinha on one flank and teen sensation Lamin Yamal on the other. But is seems the Blaugrana are desperate to get their man and it may well be that someone will have to make room, and reports from Catalonia suggest the club has cooled its interest in Liverpool’s Colombian star Luis Diaz so Williams is evidently the number one target.
The way the deal is structured is something the Barca money men will have to work hard on, as Bilbao are reported to want their full fee up front and that will take some financial juggling from the Catalans.
Fermin heading for the Barca exit
With the impending arrival of Williams inching closer one outcome will surely be an exit from Barca’s creative group, and a sale which will raise some much-needed cash. Attacking midfielder Fermin Lopez looks like he could well be the man to go, with widespread interest in the 22-year-old, who is said to be open to a move away from Barcelona. The Roja international has been at Barca since 2016, when he joined as a junior player, and he has made 59 appearances for the first team, scoring 14 goals, but Fermin has been told he may not be a central part of Flick’s plans, and that has alerted a host of top clubs.
An offer from Saudi Pro League Al Halil has already been tabled and while that would be very lucrative for the player it would also help the Blaugrana to push the price up to around 60m Euros, particularly if a bidding war starts. Premier League club and Europa Conference League champions Chelsea have been strongly linked to Fermin and German champions Bayern Munich have also expressed an interest, so we’ll keep up to date with that story right here at SBOTOP.
Laporte eyes a return to the Basque
While Athletic Club are preparing for the exit of their star winger, in other La Liga 2025 news it seems there may be a return of a familiar face at the club, with central defender Aymeric Laporte linked with a move back to Bilbao. Reports in the Estadio Deportivo say the club has already approached Laporte’s existing employers Al-Nassr, over in the Saudi Pro League.
It would be a popular return to San Mames for the player who was a Bilbao academy product, winning the Supercopa de Espana with the club back in 2015 before he made a big-money move to Manchester City. He had a successful stint at the Etihad Stadium, winning five Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League winner’s medal before moving to Saudi in 2023. A France U21 star Aymeric switched national allegiances and has represented Spain 40 times, as a mainstay at centre back since 2021 and winning a European Championship medal in 2024.
Now 31 years of age Laporte is entering the twilight of his career though he might easily have three or four seasons in him at the top flight, and Champions League football with the club he grew up with must be appealing at this stage in his career.
Bilbao need to strengthen their defence ahead of another campaign in La Liga and in Europe, and they have been tracking 28-year-old Celta Vigo defender Unai Nunez, but if they can persuade Laporte to take a cut in wages to return home that seems to be the preferred option. But with Olympique Marseille and Manchester United also interested the Athletic Club money men would be well advised to get a move on.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
